A Special Board Meeting of the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board was called to order today beginning at 5:00 p.m.

(2) RECORD OF ATTENDANCE:

Present:

Lorne Green, Chair

Jack Toomey

Steve Parsons

Joan Currie

John Berk

Barb Mercer

Jackie Organ

Kevin Ruelland

Stewart Matheson

Joyce Lind

Gary Fraser

Absent(sent regrets):

Charlotte Shaw

Yvonne Kennedy

Darren Googoo

Fred Tilley

Sandra Margettie

Absent:

n/a

Also, Present:

Beth MacIsaac, Superintendent

George Boudreau, Director of Financial Services

Susan Kelley, Director of Programs & Student Services

Wendy King, Director of Human Resource Services

Cathy Boudreau, Coordinator of Student Services

Cathy MacNeil, Coordinator of Student Services

Cathy Viva, Coordinator of Student Services

Tracie Collier, Coordinator of Human Resource Services

Sheldon Nathanson, Sheldon Nathanson Barristers & Solicitors

John Astephen, Regional Educational Officer

Michelle MacLeod, Board Recording Secretary

(3) IN-CAMERA SESSION:

Moved by Commissioner ParsonsSeconded by Commissioner Berk

That the Board go to an in-camera session. . .

Motion carried2015-04-06

Commissioner Matheson chaired the in-camera session.

Moved by Commissioner FraserSeconded by Commissioner Lind

That the Board rise and report. . .

Motion carried2015-04-07

Commissioner Matheson advised that personnel issues were discussed.

(4) NSTU Retirements:

Moved by Commissioner MercerSeconded by Commissioner Organ

That the Board accept with regret and thanks for years of service the following retirements. . .

Employee #

Name

School

Effective

396275

40014729

Ginny Sampson

Retirement

Glace Bay High

(Vice-Principal)

June 30, 2015

40014617

William (Bill) Hollohan

Retirement

Sydney Academy

(Dept. Head – Business)

June 30, 2015

Motion carried2015-04-08

(5) CLASSROOM STAFFING: (attached to the original minutes)

Moved by Commissioner ParsonsSeconded by Commissioner Berk

That the Board accept the classroom staffing recommendations as presented by Human Resources. .

Motion carried2015-04-09

(6) ITINERANT STAFFING: (attached to the original minutes)

Concern was expressed by the Board re: the reduction proposal for itinerant staff specifically student services. Staff was cautioned that a contingency plan should be put in place for unexpected consequences of this proposed cut especially this year with the implementation of Grade level configuration.

Moved by Commissioner CurrieSeconded by Commissioner Mercer

That the Board accept the Itinerant staffing recommendations as presented by Programs staff. . .

Motion carried2015-04-10

(7) ADMINISTRATIVE STAFFING: (attached to the original minutes)

Moved by Commissioner ParsonsThat the Board accept the administrative staffing recommendations as presented by Human Resources . .

Motion carried2015-04-11

(8) New Business:

a. Budget Overview for 2015-2016

Mr. Boudreau gave the Board an overview of the provincial funding for Education in 2015-2016.

Mr. Boudreau indicated that despite an increase in education funding (for our Board) that the bottom line budget shortfall on the status quo budget is approximately 3.2 million dollars. The budget team (senior staff and the Board Chair) met on April 6th to start the budget deliberations with a second meeting scheduled for April 20th. Potential cost reductions identified to date were reviewed with the Board.

Also the Board was reminded of its responsibility to address the reduction in transitional funding.

(documents which were distributed are attached to the original minutes)